Listening-
In His Word
Are you
listening in the Word today? Are you hearing God's voice speaking to
your heart and mind? Or do you call Him your Lord but do nothing of
what He says?
But why
do you call me 'Lord,Lord,' and not do the things which I say?
Whoever comes to me and hears My sayings and does them, I will show
you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep
and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the
stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it,
for it was founded on the rock. But he who hard and did nothing is
like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation,
against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.
And the ruin of that house was great. Matthew 6:46-49
If you
do what God, and His Word say then you are wise enough to know that
the option is either to build your life on Christ, and His will in
your life; or to let it wash away into the abyss.
Are you
listening to His Words today? God is speaking to us today, this very
day to hear His voice and do what He says.
So may
times as parent we tell our kids to do things, or as management you
tell employees what to do to make life, the job, or their pay check
more bearable. As parents we are instructed how to raise our
children, and children are instructed on how to obey the
parents...'that it may go well with them'. But just as we adults do,
they tune out all of the good advice at times and do their own
things.
Today I
want us to tune in to what God is saying; do not tune Him out with
earphones, or loud sounds that will block the pain and sorrow you
feel. God wants to speak to you today personally. He wants to let
each of us know He remembers us.
We need
to stop playing 'the game of life' and pay attention.
Is God calling you to the Mission field on the other side of the world today? Thailand or Poland? Maybe the Philippines? Or maybe He is calling you to your own back yard?
It is so
easy for us today to grow up, get a job, have a life, a wife,
husband, kids whatever we truly want in our own planning if we choose
to do it the way of the world. Many choose to follow those who buy
the top brands, who spoil their kids with every gadget when they want
it, who allow their kids to join every team, game, activity possible
but they are still on sinking sand.
There
are many out in this world that have risen to the top of the business
only to find they are sad and alone. There is a large number of
single CEO's out there wishing they had done things differently.
There
are many families out there who do all the big vacation spots but do
not spend a bit of time together. Not really.
People
drive fancy cars that they replace every year, they wear the
expensive clothing and those around them think they have it all. But
do they hear God's voice? Do they give Him the glory? Sometimes, yes,
but mostly we see it is sadly not so
.
If we do
not follow what God's voice says it is all sand waiting to sift away.
If I did
not follow my Lord's voice where would I be? I know that I would most
likely not be living in California in a wonderful house with a loving
family who aside from normal skirmishes gets along well enough to
play games together, watch movies, series, discuss books read, and
fight with one another over the fact we do not listen to the words we
say and still love one another like God intended.
I am
where I am because I chose to listen to His voice and go and do what
He said.
I may
not get to go on cruises, or fly all over the world, but I get to
take a God Vacation now and then. That is when I put on my worship
music, sometimes with listening device sometimes just singing it out
myself in whatever strange tone my voice puts out; God finds our
voices beautiful when we are lifting praises to Him. When I close my
eyes, I can be wherever I choose, I can stand beside a still water,
or walk with my Lord beside a brook and tell Him I wish to listen to
His voice. I am talking about the communication we create when we
spend time in prayer. It is not a one sided thing, we need to listen.
His Word
comes to us from the Bible, and from time spend basking in His
presence, as well as listening to preachers and teachers. Sometimes
He speaks through strangers, sometimes He speaks through our kids.
Sometime
back I was injured and having trouble taking my normal walks, one of
my children heard me speak of how much I was missing these walks but
that I was afraid I would fall and not be able to get home. This
child told me “Mom, why not just walk up and down the hall? A lot
of times!” I thought it was foolish at first, but the child was
correct and as I found the walls were a great support system when I
felt weak. Do I put in my worship music into my listening device and
imagined I was on my walk. God was there with me as usual. I gained
strength and joy just as if I were out on my long walks.
The key
scripture today talks about building on a rock as apposed to on the sand;
do you wonder about why God said these two places? Here in California
we see first hand what happens to those homes on the sand, the walls
come down on them, the water rises up on them, and sand pours into
those beautiful homes. The house on the rock- the wise house- takes
more to build. It means using heavy tools to get a firm foundation
set up to hold on tight. The homes on rocky cliffs stay, those on the
sandy edge fall into the ocean at times.
Life
takes effort. We need to listen to His voice and do what He says and
in time things will get easier. Once the rocky house is build the
home owner can rest assured they have the firm foundation and
decorate their lives accordingly.
On the
sand, there is little effort, they are walking out the door to the
beach, playing all day, and enjoying the fun life; but it is short
lived.
Rain,
wind and sand can destroy a home. Rain wind and sand can destroy a
family. Or not!
When we
listen to God, we know what is best in nearly every situation that
arises in our lives. And if we do not, we know who does.
People
grounded in the Solid Rock, Christ, are never alone. When the rain
comes and the water rises in life, and it does come pounding at the
house; those in Christ will stand.
I have
seen it on the news, those who know God are rebounding faster than
those who do not. They trust that God will bring them through, and He
will show them, or tell them, what to do.
The
proof is in the Word! Look through the scriptures and you will find
how many times God rebuilt Israel; He is still doing so today! They
wander, they stop listening, and He pulls them back into His arms and
tells them He loves them.
He wants
to be the same with us as well today; He longs to pull you into His
arms and say “I love you my child, cry, laugh, or just sit here and
be content because I am with you, even to the end of the world.” He
is speaking to us all today, but are we listening? Are we building on
that solid foundation that will cause us to be strong in the storms?
Or are we too busy getting the 'stuff' and doing the 'things' of this
world so that we don't look weird? So we don't stand out? Wow, do you
know what I think about not standing out? I think it is foolishness
to want to be part of the crowd; God tells us to separate ourselves.
We are to stand out and be different for Christ. We are to live a
life that shows our fruits so that others want to join in to the
family of God. We need to listen to His voice telling us what to do
each day.
The time
is short; lets not waist it doing our own thing. Lets put it out
there and be a support system with Jesus as the corner stone!
Trust
in the Lord and do good and He will exalt you to inherit the land.
Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His
faithfulness... Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give
you the desires of your heart. Wait on the Lord and keep His way,and
he shall exalt you to inherit the land: Psalm 37:3-34
Listen
to His Word. Hear His voice to day and do what He says. Redeem the
time, make it yours to do His will! Trust Him, Jesus will never fail
you, and when the world does fail you, He will be there and you will
never be alone. Not really. Hebrews 13:5
Dear
heavenly Father, thank you for being here. Thank you for speaking to
our hearts and minds both in Your Word, our Bibles as well as giving
us words from strangers and children that minister to our hearts and
lives today. Bless us in all things that we do for Your Glory. In
Jesus name, amen.
Suggested
Reading: Luke 6:1-49, Psalm 37:1-40, Hebrews 13:1-25, Colossians
4:1-18